SAN Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua is asking for the understanding of Barangay Ginebra fans after LA Tenorio was appointed coach of rival Magnolia by the conglomerate, ending his 13-year stint as a player for the Gin Kings.
Chua believes now is the time for the 41-year-old Tenorio to take on a different path, having shown his potential as head coach with his Gilas Youth stint and playing assistant coach with Barangay Ginebra.
“Sabi ko nga, LA is a leader. I hope the Ginebra fans can understand that LA Tenorio is moving to Magnolia as a head coach,” Chua said.
READ: Tenorio as Magnolia playing coach? Chua not ruling it out completely
Tenorio has been synonymous to leadership, class, and clutch shots throughout his career with the Gin Kings. Even in his 40s, Tenorio proved he still has it after hitting a game-winning three in Game 6 of the Philippine Cup semifinals against San Miguel.
Much like his predecessors, Chua said it is time to move on, and the good thing about the move is fans can still see Tenorio at the sidelines albeit with a different team.
“Hindi naman habambuhay, nandoon tayo like sila Mark Caguioa, Jayjay (Helterbrand), after that ito. At least, makikita pa nila ‘yung idolo nila, nasa PBA pa rin. Ibang capacity lang," said the concurrent Ginebra team governor.
"But hindi puwedeng habambuhay, nandoon tayo. We have to move on. Hindi puwedeng habambuhay, ‘yun lang kinakain natin. Minsan kailangan, tumikim din tayo ng iba. That’s a different job, different trabaho na gagawin niya."
The appointment will see Tenorio head to the opposite side of the ‘Manila Clasico’ rivalry.
“Sister team naman so maiintindihan naman ng mga kapamilya natin na Ginebra, mga fans na pinakamamahal namin, sana maintindihan niyo ‘yung decision ng management,” said Chua.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
